Eye protective device



June 23, 1953 I I w, sr w -r I 7 2,642,568

' EYE PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed Au 3, 1950 2 Sheets-She f l mvE NTOR.

WALTER A. STEWART ATTORNEY 5 1953 w. A. STEWART 4 ,568

EYE PROTECTIVE DEVICE g Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1950 u INVENTOR WALTER A. STEWART ATTORNEY Patented June 23,1953

2,642,568 EYE PROTECTIVE DEVICE Walter A. Stewart, Southbridge, Mass.,.assignor 'to American Optical Company,'"S0uthbridge, 'Mass a voluntary association of Massachusetts Application. August 3, 1950, Serial No. 117359 1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in eye protective devices and has particular reference to a simple, noveland inexpensive eye shield type device.

One of the principal objects of this inventionis to provide. a simple, novel and inexpensive eye protective device embodyingan eyeshield formed of a sheet of transparent material having controlled absorptive and light-altering characteristics adapted to be positioned before the eyes of a wearer and having tabportions on the temporal sides thereof, which tab portions are turned rearwardly and inwardly to form yielding wide area contact portions for comfortably engaging the forehead of the wearer and for properly spacing the major portion of the shield from the eyes and to permit free circulation of airtherebetween.

Another object is to provide a device of the above character wherein the tabs are inclined downwardly and :forwardly toward the eye shield, thus forming a surface whichconforms somewhat to the sloping of the forehead of the wearer and providing comfortable engagement therewith.

Another object is the provisionof a device of the above character having a series of slots formed adjacent the upper .edge thereof and a flexible band threaded throughsaid slots vfor attachment of the device to thehead of the wearer.

Another object is to provide a device of the above characterhaving a detachable shield portion.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromithe following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective view of the device em bodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken onlinelL-Ayof Fig. 2;

type device and methodof making the same =having resilient tab means shaped ,for engagement with theforehead of the wearer, the tab means serving as means for spacing the eye shield away from the wearers forehead to permit free cir- V culation of airftherebetween and also serving,

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention:

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of another =modi-' fication; and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the device-illus-J However, such devices are generallyunsatisfactory for one or more reasons, :among them being excessive in-weight, discomfort tothewearer, poor circulation of air between the device and due to their inherent resiliency,'as cushioning means ,forcomfortably supporting the device in proper spaced relation with the eyes of the'wear er. Thepresently described device also embodies efficient light ,filtering characteristics and attractive attachment means in the form" of a band of colored, ribbon. or .the like which is interwoven-through slots or openings formed in the eye shield ormember carrying said shield and.

adapted to extend around the'head of the wearer for efiiciently supporting the device in position of use.

Referringto the drawings "wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout theseveral views, the device embodying the invention iscomprised broadly of an eye shield I0 and ,a headband I connected to theeye shield I0 for supporting the device on the wearer's head. -,The eye shield I0 is formed by blanking or otherwisecutting the same to the desired shape from an initially fiat l-relatively thin piece of transparent material such as cellulose .acetate,. cellulose butyrate, polyvinyl chloride, or the like which is ch'aracterized by its inherent resil the eyeshield I0 is selected according to its inherent absorption ,or light-altering characteristics'or may .betreated withsuitable dyes ,or other known means whereby reflected glare or selected radiations from the sun or other sources will be, prevented from.. reach ing theeyes of the Wear- The eye "shield ;l.0 .isformed with twomain eye portions [2 and I3 which-areieach substantially oval. in-shape t erallyi ine t t er inflthe. upper central region of the device in such man.-

ner as to :form: arecess -.|A;inthe: loweriedge thereof .whichlais'shaped to fit about :the nose of :the

wearer. :Itiisto be understood that .thezedge' .of the recess 14 may be shaped as by curling, flang- 3 ing, or the like to provide a more comfortable fit on the nose, or may be provided with a separate nose pad, if desired.

The upper edge of the shield 10 is preferably substantially straight throughout the width of the device.

In the temporal regions the eye portions I2 and [3 are provided with integra1 elongated extensions or tabs l5 which are curved rearwardly and inwardly of the shield I at locations spaced inwardly of the sides of said shield as indicated at It so as to provide portions I! which extend in substantially parallel spaced relation with the upper edge of the shield. The portions 11 are angled downwardly and inwardly to have their lower edges disposed nearer to theshield lllthan the upper edges, as shown in Fig. 41 therebyco'nforming to the general slope 'of 'the forehead of the wearer.

The shield I0 is preferably shaped to have a slight lengthwise curvature, as illustrated in Fig. 3,'s'o that the outer edges of the eye portions I2 and 13; extend slightly around-the sides of the Wearers "eyes to aid in preventing radiation from reaching the eyes at said sides. I v

When the device isin position of "use on the face of the wearer, the eye portions I2 and I3 of the shield ID are positioned in spaced relation over the respective eyes, the recess I4 is located in straddling relation with the nose, and the tabs l5 resiliently engage the forehead and maintain the shield l0 properly spaced from the eyes and the forehead whereby air'is permitted to circulate freely between the shield I0 and the eyes.

The eyeshield lilis'provided in -the temporal region of each eye portion l2 and [3 adjacent the tabs 15 with a pair of'spaced vertical slots I8.

The headband I I, which is preferably formed offabric or other flexible material in ribbon form, is threaded through the slots [8 so as'to provide a portion I9 thereof which extends along the front of the shield substantially parallel with the upper edge thereof. The headband ll rearwardlythrough. the inner slots I8, outwardly through the outer slots, and thence overlies the curved portions it of the tabs [5 as it extends rearwardly along thesides of the Wearers head and is efiiciently held in place by friction. The headband I l can'be attached by clips or the like (not shown) to the wearers hair, or may be tied at the rear of the head to securely support the device-in position of use.

It will be understood that by providing the eye shield and the headband of different harmonizing colors the device'can'be made topresent an attractive appearance. The headbands or ribbons can also be easilyand quickly interchanged when desired to harmonize with the ensembles of the wearers. I a

:It is further pointed out that the shield, intermediate the tabs I5, is free to flex to assumethe proper fit with the face and that, due to this flxingthe said tabs are also permitted to properly and comfortably seat on the forehead of the wearer. This flexing and seating action'takes place when-the device is secured in position of passes use on the head by the headband; To further insure comfort, the portion of the tabs which engage the forehead may be provided with'a covering of resilient cushioning material such, for

example, as latex, rubber, or other suitable material. I a i.

In Fig. 5, there is illustrated a slight modification'of the invention wherein the resilient tabs Hare formed integrallywith a strip 20 of suitable plastic material of the type previously mentioned herein. The strip 20 is provided with spaced slots or openings 2! and 22 adjacent its opposed temporal ends and has the'fem-ale portions 23 of snap fastener means secured thereto intermediate the respective slots or openings. A headband of ribbon orother suitable material 24 is threaded through said. slotsoropenings 2| from the front ofithe strip i fl rearwardly of the portions 23 and outwardly of the slots or openings 22 to secure the said headband to the strip and to provide means whereby the device may be secured. in proper position on the head of the wearer. Themain .shield 39 is provided with male portions'25 of snap fastener means wherebythe said shield may be detachably secured to thestrip'ZO'.

a In Fig. 6 and 7,-there is illustrated a further modification wherein a strip'26 of suitable plastic material, of the type such as previously set forth herein, is provided with spaced openings 21,28 and 29 and spaced slots 30 and 3| arranged in. groups at selected locations longitudinally thereof and on the opposed sides of the intermediate portion thereof. Said strip is turned rearwardly and inwardly at its ends to form looped resilient forehead engaging portions 32 each having their respective free ends 33 rela:

tively sharply curled, as shown best in Fig. '7. A

yet permit said strip and looped portions 32 to' have a yielding action in response to the pull of the headband 24. The headband 24 is threaded through the slots 30 and 31 in a manner similar to the previously described'headband of Figsyl through 5. V

The strip 26 is provided, adjacent its temporal ends, with female portions 35 of snap fastener, means. A shield 40 having the desired color, light-altering and absorptive characteristics is provided with male portions 350i snap fastener means by which the said shield may be detach.- ably connected with the strip 26 by interconnection thereof with the feinale portions 35. The shield 13 has a nasal recess 31 inthe lower central portion thereof to straddle the nose of the wearer and is provided, 'in this' instance, witha bead 38 for increasing its contact area with the nose. The bead 38 may be in the form of an integral member or may be a separate member securedto the shield l3, as, for example, it may be a slotted strip of suitable resilient material fitted about the nasal recess with theadjacent edge of the shield e'xtending'within said-slot and securedtherein by adhesive. or other suitable means.

It is to be understood that the shield 39, in

thedevice of Fig. 5. is-provided with a-similar nasal recess and may have any desiredcolor, light-altering or absorptive characteristics."

With these latter arrangements, shields having different characteristicsmay be interchangeably used. The devices of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are secured From the foregoing it will be seen that efil- I cient' and economical means have been provided for accomplishing all of the objects of the invention by providing-an improved eye protective device which is eificient in its use,.comfortable to wear and attractivein appearance. While 'the novel features of the invention .have been described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that many changes may be made in the details of construction and methods shown and .described without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact details and methods shown and described as the preferred forms only are set forth by way of illustration.

I claim:

1. An eye protective .device comprising ,an eye shield formed of a sheet of transparent flexible light altering material shaped to cover the eyes of a wearer and having elongated integral tabs formed in the temporal areas thereof, said tabs being bent in a direction rearwardly of the shield and then turned inwardly toward one another and lying in spaced relation with the adjacent upper edge of the shield for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearer and spacing the shield therefrom when in position of use.

2. An eye protective device comprising an eye shield formed of a sheet of transparent flexible light altering material shaped to cover the eyes of a wearer and having elongated integral tabs formed in the temporal areas thereof, said tabs being bent rearwardly of the shieldand inwardly toward one another and lying in-spaced'relation with the adjacent upper rear surface of the shield for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearer and spacing the shield therefrom when in position of use, the lower edges .of said tabs being disposed nearer to said rear surface of the shield than the upper edges whereby the tabs will conform somewhat to the shape of the forehead of the wearer.

3. An eye protective device comprising a pair of spaced eye portions adapted to cover the respective eyes of a wearer and formed of transparent flexible light altering material, said eye portions each having integral elongated tabs extending from the temporal areas thereof, said tabs being bent rearwardly of the eye portions and inwardly toward one another and lying in spaced relation with the adjacent upper edges of the eye portions for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearer and spacing the eye por tions therefrom when in position of use.

4. An eye protective device comprising a pair of spaced eye portions adapted to cover the respective eyes of a wearer and formed of transparent flexible light altering material, said eye portions each having integral elongated tabsextending from the temporal areas thereof, said tabs being bent in a direction rearwardly of the eye portions and then turned inwardly toward one another and lying in spaced relation with the adjacent upper portion of the rear surface of the eye portions for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearer and spacing the eye portions therefrom when in position of use, the lower edges of said tabs being disposed nearer to said rear surface of the eye portions than the upper edges whereby the tabs will conform somewhat to the shape of the forehead of the wearer.

6': jacent rear surface of the shield for resiliently engaging the forehead 'ofthe wearer andspacing the shield therefrom when in position of *use, and:a.ribbon member removably attached to said shield for securing the shield to the head of the wearer.

6. ,An eye protective device comprising a pair of spaced eye portions adapted to cover the respective eyes of a wearer and formed of transparent flexible light altering material, said eye portions each having integral elongated tabs-extending from the temporal areas thereof,said=tabs being bent rearwardly of the eye portions :and turned inwardly toward one another and lying in spaced :relation'with'the adjacent upper edges of the eye portions for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearerand spacing the eye portions therefrom when in position of use, and a ribbon member 'removably attached to said eye portions for securing .the eye portions to the head of the wearer.

7. eye protective .device comprising an eye shield formed of a sheet .of transparent flexible light altering .material having portions shaped to cover the eyes of a wearer and having :a slotted upper .portion provided with elongated integral tabs .formedin the temporal areas thereof, said tabs being bent rearwardly of said slotted upper portion of the shield and turned inwardly toward one anotherand lying in spaced relation withthe adjacent rear surface of said upper portion of ,the shield for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearer and spacing the shield therefrom when in position of use, and a ribbon member threaded through said slots in "the upper portion of :the shield in 'such a 'manner that a considerable portion thereof :overlies the front of the shield and extends substantially parallel with the upper contour edge of the shield andother portions thereof extend freely from the opposed sides of the device for securing the shield to'the head of the wearer.

8. .An eye protective device comprising a pair of spaced eye portions adapted to cover "the respective eyes of a wearer and formed of transparent flexible light altering material, said eye portions each having integral elongated tabs extending from the temporal areas thereof, said tabs being bent rearwardly of the eye portions and turned inwardly toward one another and lying'in spaced'relation with the adjacent upper edges of the eye portions for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearer and spacing the eye portions therefrom when in position of use, a ribbon member removably attachedto said eye portions for 'securing'the eyeportions to the'head of :the wearer, said ribbon member being-threaded "through openings in "the eye portions adjacent their "upper edges in such a manner "that a considerable portion thereof overlies the front of the eye portions and extends substantially parallel with the upper contour edges of the eye portions "and otherportions thereof extend freely from the outer ends of the device.

9. An eye protective device comprising an eye shield formed of a sheet of transparent flexible light altering material shaped to cover the eyes of a wearer and having elongated integral tabs formed in the temporal areas thereof, said tabs being bent rearwardly of the shield and turned inwardly'toward one another and lying in spaced relation with the adjacent upper edge of the shield for resiliently engaging the forehead of the'wearerandspacing theshield therefrom when .in position of use, the lower edges of said tabs being disposed nearer. .to said rshie1d-.\.thanithe upper edges whereby the tabs will-conformsomewhat to the shape of the forehe'adof(the-wearer, a ribbon member removably attached to said shield for securing the shield :to the. head of the wearer, said ribbon member being threaded through openings in the shield adjacent its upper edge in such a manner that a considerable portion thereof overlies the front of the shield and extends substantially parallelwith the upper'c'on-' tour edge of the shield and other portions there of extend freely from the opposed sides of the device. 1v a e :45 1

10. An eye protective device comprising a pair of spaced eye portions adapted-tdcover the-respective eyes of a wearer and formed of transparent flexible light altering material, said eye portions each having integrali'elongated tabs ex-l tending from the temporal areas thereof;said tabs being bentrearwardly of the eye portions and turned inwardly towardxeoner'another and lying in spaced relationwith'the adjacent upper edges of the eye portions for resiliently engaging the forehead of the wearer and spacing the eye portions therefrom when in position of use, thelower edges of said tabs'being.disposedpnearer to said eye portions than the upper edges-where by the tabs will conform somewhat to the'shape of the forehead of the wearer, a ribbon member removably attached to'said: eye portions for securing the eye portions to the head of the wearer, saidribbon ,member being threaded through openings in the eye portions adjacent their upper edges in such a manner that a considerable protion thereof overlies the front of the eye portions and extends substantially parallel with theuppercontour edges of the eye portions and other portions thereof extend freely from. the outer ends of the device.

11. An eye protective device comprising a strip of flexible material having resilient end portions initially extending outwardly; and-in the plane of said strip, said end-portions being foldedto curve rearwardly and thence turn inwardly. toward each other and'be disposed in spaced relation with said strip for engaging :the forehead of the wearer, said strip having spaced slots adjacent its opposed temporalsides and connection means adjacent said slots, a headband threaded through said slots, an eye shield-of transparent sheet material shaped to overlie the respective eyes and having a nasal recess in the lower edge thereof and means adjacent its temporal sides for detachable connectionlwith the connection means of said strip.

12. An eye protective device comprising a strip of flexible material having spaced openings longitudinally thereof and having resilient end portions initially extending outwardly-and in the plane of said strip, said end portions being folded to curve rearwardly and inwardly toward each other so as to have portions thereof disposed in spaced relationwith the rear surface of 13. An eye protective device'comprising an eye shield formed of a sheet of transparent flexible material shaped to cover the eyes of the wearer and a supporting portion therefor having opposed end portions curving rearwardly and inwardly toward each-other to form brow engaging means adjacent the temporal sidesthereof and spaced rearwardly of the rear side of said supporting portion'to yieldingly engage the wearersbrow when the device is in use, and a headband secured to said supporting portion of -the device for securing the shield in position before the eyes of the wearer,

14. An eye protection device of the character described comprising a supporting portion of resilient material having a transparent eye shield ing portion depending therefrom, said support-- ing portion being formed with elongated resilient end portions initially extending outwardly of the opposed sides and in the plane of said portion, said elongated endportions being folded to curve rearwardly and thence turn inwardly.

to provide portions disposed toward each other and lying rearwardly of and in spaced relation to said portion and by reason of their inherent resiliency functioning as yieldable brow engagement means when the device is in position of use, and flexible ribbon-like means secured to the opposed sides of one of said portions and having portions free to extend about the head of the wearer to hold the device thereon in position of use. 1 r a 15. An eyeprotection device of the character described comprising a supporting portion of resilient material having a transparent eye shielding portion depending therefrom, one of said portions being formedwith elongated resilient end portions initially extending outwardly of the opposed sides and in the plane of said portion, said elongated end portions being folded to curve rearwardly and thence turn inwardly to provide portions disposed toward each other and lyingrearwardly of and in spaced relation to said device and by reason of their inherent resiliency functioning asryieldable brow engagetion, said elongated end portions being folded. to

curve rearwardly and thence turn inwardly to provide portions disposed toward each other and lying rearwardly of and in spaced relation to said device and by reason of their inherent resiliency functioning as yieldable brow engage ment means when the device is in position of use, said supporting portion having a plurality of slots and flexible ribbon-like means threaded through said slots and having portions free to extend about the head of the wearer to hold the device thereon in position of use.

17. An eye protection device of the character described comprising a supporting portion of 'resilient material having a transparent eye shielding portion depending therefrom, one of said portions being formed with elongated resilient end References Cited in the file of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Bevan June 7, 1904 Nowak July 19, 1932 Snell July 1, 1941 Blodjer Feb. 10, 1942 Flood Aug. 27, 1946 Sameth Dec. 13, 1949 Baratelli Dec. 19, 1950 

